Another great year!
READ to RISE did amazing, we gave out over 20,000 new books to children in need and we now have a staff of 4 full-time and 3 part-time staff. We started operations in JHB this year. READ to RISE has also been nominated for the 2016 Civicus Mandela Machel Innovation Awards.
We published our second children's book OAKY THE HAPPY TREE and launched it on 9 September 2015 at the Westridge Library in Mitchells Plain.
We attended the Deputy President's Pre-SONA Youth Engagement at Harare Library in Khayelitsha on 18 February. The photo in the Business Day was with Cyril reading OAKY AND THE SUN to the children :) which was also used for National Book Day.
Athol got accepted into Oxford University for a MPhil in Political Theory - a dream of his to study at Oxford. We spent 3 months in Oxford from October 2015.
Athol won his first poetry prize - the 2015 Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award. Athol was interviewed on SABC. Athol published his second book of poetry Bumper Cars which features his award winning poem "Streetclass Diseases"..
I was named by Cape Town Magazine as one of Cape Town's Fearless Females in 2015. READ to RISE was on Expresso SABC which featured me.
So a busy but great year. I look forward to 2016! We hope to publish our next children's book and Athol his biography. READ to RISE will continue to do amazing things. I hope to develop my photography skills and take some great photos.
Happy new year all!
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Monday, December 28, 2015
Christmas in Oxford
This year we spent a quiet Christmas in Oxford, just Athol and I. The weather has been cold - grey with rain most days. The "sun" rises about 8am and sets at 4pm so the days seen so short!
We decided to go to into town today, had a fun day pottering around. Although there were tourists, it was relatively quiet. Most students and admin staff go home for the holidays. It also gave me a chance to try out my new hobby... photography :) with Athol as my model!
Most places were closed - the covered market, Bodleian Library, Museum of History of Science so we spent some time at the MCR at Hertford College. We had lunch at one of our favourite spots All Bar One, even did a crossword (we do at least one crossword a day!).
We also saw the notorious Rhodes Statue outside Oriel College in High Street. #RhodesMustFall
There's been so much controversy over this statue.
We decided to go to into town today, had a fun day pottering around. Although there were tourists, it was relatively quiet. Most students and admin staff go home for the holidays. It also gave me a chance to try out my new hobby... photography :) with Athol as my model!
Athol by The Bridge Of Sigh by his college - Hertford College
We also saw the notorious Rhodes Statue outside Oriel College in High Street. #RhodesMustFall
There's been so much controversy over this statue.
Christmas lights in Oxford
A fun day out!
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Day of Reconciliation
Today in South Africa, thousands of people protested that our president #Zumamustfall
It's been a terrible week for South Africans and our poor rand, which dropped about 10% in the two days to R24,30 after our Finance Minister Nene was removed and replaced by unknown van Rooyen. Four days later, Zuma appointed one of our previous Finance Ministers Pravin Gordhan to replace van Rooyen.
Although the rand has recovered a little, South Africa has a mammoth task ahead. Finch has already downgraded South Africa's credit rating and today Moody has downgraded us from stable to negative. It's only a matter of time, when all our ratings will be made junk. Then the country is in deep trouble and we can say goodbye to our dear rand.
We are in the UK at the worst possible time with our weak rand. Rent is about 1000GBP a month so R24k! Zuma's bad decisions have just us a lot, and I mean lot more money, for us to be here in the UK and for Athol to study. If the rand deteriorates a lot more, we might have to re-consider staying here.
It is so sad watching our beloved South Africa go from bad to worst, and the government isn't doing anything to fix things. The corruption, crime and unhappiness of citizens continues. I was saddened to hear that an 85 year old Chinese lady was raped in Malvern on 7 December and her 62 year old son shot in the head, all this for R1500 cash and some other items. What kind of a world has this become. Today there was a march in JHB to appeal to the police to catch the culprits - so sad that we have to march and beg our police for safety and justice.
South Africa is such a great country, great weather, property and things are cheap, great food but the government and crime is really making things unpleasant. I pray for South Africa, I pray for justice, peace, no more corruption, no more crime.
While here in the UK it is cold and rainy and dark most days, but there is a darkness looming in South Africa.
It's been a terrible week for South Africans and our poor rand, which dropped about 10% in the two days to R24,30 after our Finance Minister Nene was removed and replaced by unknown van Rooyen. Four days later, Zuma appointed one of our previous Finance Ministers Pravin Gordhan to replace van Rooyen.
Although the rand has recovered a little, South Africa has a mammoth task ahead. Finch has already downgraded South Africa's credit rating and today Moody has downgraded us from stable to negative. It's only a matter of time, when all our ratings will be made junk. Then the country is in deep trouble and we can say goodbye to our dear rand.
We are in the UK at the worst possible time with our weak rand. Rent is about 1000GBP a month so R24k! Zuma's bad decisions have just us a lot, and I mean lot more money, for us to be here in the UK and for Athol to study. If the rand deteriorates a lot more, we might have to re-consider staying here.
It is so sad watching our beloved South Africa go from bad to worst, and the government isn't doing anything to fix things. The corruption, crime and unhappiness of citizens continues. I was saddened to hear that an 85 year old Chinese lady was raped in Malvern on 7 December and her 62 year old son shot in the head, all this for R1500 cash and some other items. What kind of a world has this become. Today there was a march in JHB to appeal to the police to catch the culprits - so sad that we have to march and beg our police for safety and justice.
South Africa is such a great country, great weather, property and things are cheap, great food but the government and crime is really making things unpleasant. I pray for South Africa, I pray for justice, peace, no more corruption, no more crime.
While here in the UK it is cold and rainy and dark most days, but there is a darkness looming in South Africa.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Crazy Black Friday
The world seems to have adopted America's Black Friday sales, including South Africa!
This year I've noticed so many South African retailers slashing their prices for Black Friday - just a marketing gimmick but effective from all the photos I've seen with people queuing.
Here in the UK, Black Friday is also a big thing with retailers advertising great deals and goods been snatched up quickly. I too managed to get a great online deal :)
Here is some background of Black Friday:
Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States (the fourth Thursday of November). Since at least the 1930s, it has been regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the US, and most major retailers open very early (and more recently during overnight hours) and offer promotional sales.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)
This year I've noticed so many South African retailers slashing their prices for Black Friday - just a marketing gimmick but effective from all the photos I've seen with people queuing.
Here in the UK, Black Friday is also a big thing with retailers advertising great deals and goods been snatched up quickly. I too managed to get a great online deal :)
Here is some background of Black Friday:
Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States (the fourth Thursday of November). Since at least the 1930s, it has been regarded as the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the US, and most major retailers open very early (and more recently during overnight hours) and offer promotional sales.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Daylight savings
Today in the UK clocks are officially put back by one hour, so now we are 2 hours behind South Africa.
South Africa played New Zealand yesterday in the rugby World Cup. We lost 19-21.
Yesterday, Athol had a Skype interview with Morning Live at 8:35am so we woke up at the crack of dawn to go to the Gilbert Library at Hertford College at OU so that we would have a nice background. It was a difficult interview because they skyped and phoned him so could here the feedback. It was still a good interview nonetheless as it was about Athol winning the Sol Plaatje European Union a poetry Award for 2015 for his poem Streetclass diseases. .https://www.youtube.com/watch?
South Africa played New Zealand yesterday in the rugby World Cup. We lost 19-21.
Yesterday, Athol had a Skype interview with Morning Live at 8:35am so we woke up at the crack of dawn to go to the Gilbert Library at Hertford College at OU so that we would have a nice background. It was a difficult interview because they skyped and phoned him so could here the feedback. It was still a good interview nonetheless as it was about Athol winning the Sol Plaatje European Union a poetry Award for 2015 for his poem Streetclass diseases. .https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Saturday, October 17, 2015
What a great day
This morning Athol attended his matriculation which is his induction into the university. They had to wear their sub fusc.
There's a ceremony and welcome for all new students to the college. The ceremony took place in the Sheldonian Theatre. They also took a group photo in the quad.
There's a ceremony and welcome for all new students to the college. The ceremony took place in the Sheldonian Theatre. They also took a group photo in the quad.
This afternoon, the Springboks beat Wales in the quarter finals of the rugby World Cup 24-19. Arsenal beat Watford 3-0. Then it was announced that Athol won the Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award for 2015! What an achievement, am so proud. There were over 600 applications so even to get shortlisted was amazing! Now he is an award-winning poet! Congratulations Athol!
Exploring Oxford - Oxford Canal
On Sunday we decided to explore the Oxford Canal in Summertown.
It's a short walk from where we live. It's a long canal that joins the Thames River in central Oxford. There a path for walkers and cyclists. It's peaceful with ducks and benches. There are canal boats along the side. Would be nice to do a canal cruise. Across the canal you can see the houses who have the canal at their doorstep.
Am sure that we will be walking here a lot. Already we have walked so much. Everyday I have to walk to the shops along Banbury Street to guy some groceries, it's at least a 0.5km walk one way then I have to carry all the bags back. It's tough without a car but at least I get my daily exercise :)
It's a short walk from where we live. It's a long canal that joins the Thames River in central Oxford. There a path for walkers and cyclists. It's peaceful with ducks and benches. There are canal boats along the side. Would be nice to do a canal cruise. Across the canal you can see the houses who have the canal at their doorstep.
Am sure that we will be walking here a lot. Already we have walked so much. Everyday I have to walk to the shops along Banbury Street to guy some groceries, it's at least a 0.5km walk one way then I have to carry all the bags back. It's tough without a car but at least I get my daily exercise :)
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Oxford University - Part 1
Oxford University is a pretty different university compared to other universities, they have their own quirky traditions and names for things.
This week Michaelmas Term begins on 15 October 2015.
Oxford University has three academic terms, namely Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity.
Each term has 8 weeks. The week preceding the term is called Week 0.
There is the University, then there are over 20 colleges as well as faculties.
The colleges make Oxford University very different to others, as each student must register with a college. The college is where you will have a college tutor and a lot of other support e.g. library, IT, your "pige" (short for pigeon hole where all your mail can be sent!), college nurse, etc. Some students live in the college and then there is college accommodation nearby. The "lodge" is the reception at your college. Each college offers students different social groups like choir, band, rowing, etc. There is also a grand dining room for students to eat. So while it is cool to say that you studied at Oxford, saying which college you are from is cool (or uncool!) too :) You might see t-shirts with the college names e.g. Magdalen College, Jesus College, Christ Church College, St John College, Braenose College, etc.
So Athol is at Hertford College which is directly opposite the amazing Bodleian Library. It's a small college which has the famous Bridge of Sighs which connects two of the buildings.
"Sub Fusc" is a new term that we've learnt. It is the academic gown with cap and bow tie that students are to wear for tests/exams and events. In South Africa, this is only worn for graduation. Interestingly, only recently have they not stated what gender each needs to wear and now they only say that students can wear the hard or soft cap (previously soft caps for women only!). You can choose between a black or more traditional white tie and need to wear a dark suit. So we had to buy one since Athol will have to wear it quite a lot, the first one being this Saturday for Matriculation - which is when individuals become an official student. In South Africa, matriculation is when you pass Grade 12.
So it's been very interesting so far to learn the ways of Oxford University, where thousands of students have studied over many, many years. So much history in Oxford, it is know as "The City of Dreaming Spires". So I look forward to exploring more of Oxford.
This week Michaelmas Term begins on 15 October 2015.
Oxford University has three academic terms, namely Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity.
Each term has 8 weeks. The week preceding the term is called Week 0.
There is the University, then there are over 20 colleges as well as faculties.
The colleges make Oxford University very different to others, as each student must register with a college. The college is where you will have a college tutor and a lot of other support e.g. library, IT, your "pige" (short for pigeon hole where all your mail can be sent!), college nurse, etc. Some students live in the college and then there is college accommodation nearby. The "lodge" is the reception at your college. Each college offers students different social groups like choir, band, rowing, etc. There is also a grand dining room for students to eat. So while it is cool to say that you studied at Oxford, saying which college you are from is cool (or uncool!) too :) You might see t-shirts with the college names e.g. Magdalen College, Jesus College, Christ Church College, St John College, Braenose College, etc.
So Athol is at Hertford College which is directly opposite the amazing Bodleian Library. It's a small college which has the famous Bridge of Sighs which connects two of the buildings.
"Sub Fusc" is a new term that we've learnt. It is the academic gown with cap and bow tie that students are to wear for tests/exams and events. In South Africa, this is only worn for graduation. Interestingly, only recently have they not stated what gender each needs to wear and now they only say that students can wear the hard or soft cap (previously soft caps for women only!). You can choose between a black or more traditional white tie and need to wear a dark suit. So we had to buy one since Athol will have to wear it quite a lot, the first one being this Saturday for Matriculation - which is when individuals become an official student. In South Africa, matriculation is when you pass Grade 12.
So it's been very interesting so far to learn the ways of Oxford University, where thousands of students have studied over many, many years. So much history in Oxford, it is know as "The City of Dreaming Spires". So I look forward to exploring more of Oxford.
Friday, October 9, 2015
5p per plastic bag from 5 October 2015
Just our luck, supermarkets will now charge for bags in the UK.
The visa rules have changed so much this year making it tougher for foreigners. Firstly they introduced the health charge of 150GBP which foreigners need to pay upfront plus the TB test which costs over R1000. The Tier 4 student visa cost about R6000, so did the spouse visa.
Not to mention that the rand is at its absolute worst around R21 to the pound :( can't help mulitiplipying prices by 21. We know that living in UK is much more expensive. Last night we ate at an Indian Restaurant called Saffron in Banbury Street in Summertown. We had poppadoms, I had an orange juice and the veg tikka masala with basmati rice and Athol had the veg Britain which came to R560! For that we could have gone to Bukharra in SA which is much nicer plus we'd get change.
We sure don't choose cheap places to study and live. Our rent is about 800 GBP which is over R16k! Which is ridiculously expensive considering it's only 50sqm but at least it's better than London where we were paying over 1000 GBP. Let's hope that the rand strengthens.
The visa rules have changed so much this year making it tougher for foreigners. Firstly they introduced the health charge of 150GBP which foreigners need to pay upfront plus the TB test which costs over R1000. The Tier 4 student visa cost about R6000, so did the spouse visa.
Not to mention that the rand is at its absolute worst around R21 to the pound :( can't help mulitiplipying prices by 21. We know that living in UK is much more expensive. Last night we ate at an Indian Restaurant called Saffron in Banbury Street in Summertown. We had poppadoms, I had an orange juice and the veg tikka masala with basmati rice and Athol had the veg Britain which came to R560! For that we could have gone to Bukharra in SA which is much nicer plus we'd get change.
We sure don't choose cheap places to study and live. Our rent is about 800 GBP which is over R16k! Which is ridiculously expensive considering it's only 50sqm but at least it's better than London where we were paying over 1000 GBP. Let's hope that the rand strengthens.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
The Oxford Adventure Begins!
After spending 14 months in CT, we left on 30 September 2015 at 2pm then arrived in JHB at 4:10pm. Our SAA flight to London Heathrow departed at 8:20pm.
I enjoy flights - the small meals and on board entertainment :) I watched the movie Focus with Will Smith. There were lots of people coughing around us, so Athol was bound to get sick (as he always does on flights!).
We arrived in London at 7am then caught the National Express at Terminal 2 to Oxford (100min trip). We noticed "parking pods" driving by on separate in-the-air rails at the airport - quite futuristic I must say!
We finally arrived in Oxford on Wednesday 1 October 2015 around 10am at the Gloucester Green bus station. Athol went to get our flat keys from Hertford College then we caught a taxi to our new home in Summertown. It's university accommodation. It's a nice one bedroom garden flat (even though they call it a studio flat), probably about 50sqm with a huge garden! (compared to our 28sqm room at Northumberland House in London!)
The kitchen is fairly big (at least there isn't a communal kitchen like at LSE!) with all appliances needed. There is a heater in every room even the bathrooms - it must get cold here! We discovered that the "scouts" come and clean the flat every Friday - a great perk!
Summertown is a lovely suburb, for the more mature couples :) it's quiet, with shops along Banbury Road and South Parade. It's got all the shops that one needs - Tesco, Sainsburys, the Co-Op, Boots, M&S, banks, restaurants, etc. I managed to get some bedding, towels and crockery at a shop called Cargo. Still need to buy some things but this is our home for the year :)
Athol starts his MPhil degree in Political Theory at Oxford University, a dream of his!
I enjoy flights - the small meals and on board entertainment :) I watched the movie Focus with Will Smith. There were lots of people coughing around us, so Athol was bound to get sick (as he always does on flights!).
We arrived in London at 7am then caught the National Express at Terminal 2 to Oxford (100min trip). We noticed "parking pods" driving by on separate in-the-air rails at the airport - quite futuristic I must say!
We finally arrived in Oxford on Wednesday 1 October 2015 around 10am at the Gloucester Green bus station. Athol went to get our flat keys from Hertford College then we caught a taxi to our new home in Summertown. It's university accommodation. It's a nice one bedroom garden flat (even though they call it a studio flat), probably about 50sqm with a huge garden! (compared to our 28sqm room at Northumberland House in London!)
The kitchen is fairly big (at least there isn't a communal kitchen like at LSE!) with all appliances needed. There is a heater in every room even the bathrooms - it must get cold here! We discovered that the "scouts" come and clean the flat every Friday - a great perk!
Summertown is a lovely suburb, for the more mature couples :) it's quiet, with shops along Banbury Road and South Parade. It's got all the shops that one needs - Tesco, Sainsburys, the Co-Op, Boots, M&S, banks, restaurants, etc. I managed to get some bedding, towels and crockery at a shop called Cargo. Still need to buy some things but this is our home for the year :)
Athol starts his MPhil degree in Political Theory at Oxford University, a dream of his!
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